Opening in Ward 5 City Council race draws interest

Tuesday

Jul 30, 2013 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2013 at 6:28 AM

NEW BEDFORD — Last week's announcement that longtime Ward 5 City Councilor Jane Gonsalves will not seek re-election has touched off a flurry of interest in the seat, which represents the green residential heartland of the historic Whaling City.

NATALIE SHERMAN

NEW BEDFORD — Last week's announcement that longtime Ward 5 City Councilor Jane Gonsalves will not seek re-election has touched off a flurry of interest in the seat, which represents the green residential heartland of the historic Whaling City.

As of Monday afternoon, a total of six people had drawn papers to represent the ward, four following Thursday's announcement by the 20-year council veteran that she will step down at the end of her term.

"I wasn't going to run against her because she's a friend of mine and ... she's done a good job," said former Naughty Dogs co-owner Kenneth Rapoza, who drew Ward 5 papers Thursday.

"I don't think you could have beat her," said former School Committee member Nancy Feeney, who also drew papers Thursday.

People who have drawn Ward 5 papers include:

Janice "Jan" Baptist, 64, retired director of disability services at Bristol Community College; Craig Dixon, 33, technical writer for the Freetown-based HTP Inc.; Nancy Feeney, 61, former School Committee member and juvenile parole officer with the state; John "Jack" Radcliffe, 68, retired newspaper editor, most recently for the Brockton Enterprise; Kenneth Rapoza, 48, who works part time as an outreach coordinator for Bristol County. Rapoza sold his share of Naughty Dogs last month.

A sixth person, Sullivan Williams & Quintin lawyer Christopher Gaffney, drew papers but said Monday he does not plan to run.

"I personally believe in the adage that fortune favors the brave and that's why I got in early," said Dixon, who drew papers before Gonsalves' announcement. "I think some of these other candidates are seeing there could be an easy opportunity with the sitting councilor leaving ... but it's definitely not going to be an easy race for anyone."

Candidates have until Aug. 20 to file officially. In 2011, five candidates competed in the Ward 1 primary after the sitting councilor, Linda Morad, stepped down to run for mayor. In 2009, three candidates competed for the open Ward 6 seat.

"The more the merrier," said Radcliffe, another early drawer of papers, who said he has collected 430 signatures so far — well above the required 50 — and has assembled a website outlining policy positions, including his support of a civilian police review board.

Feeney said she is not sure yet whether she will file officially but is concerned that the council is losing one of just two female voices.

"I just think that sometimes a female perspective brings some conciliation into the mix a little bit more," she said. "You can't just have all guys running the city."